Potomac Edison Completes Reliability Project in West Virginia

Rhea-AI Summary

Potomac Edison, a subsidiary of FirstEnergy Corp (NYSE: FE), has successfully upgraded its electrical system in Grant County, West Virginia, enhancing service reliability for over 2,100 customers. The $1.4 million project involved splitting a 286-mile power line into two smaller circuits and installing automated reclosers to improve outage management. Customers are now less likely to experience prolonged outages, especially during severe weather. This initiative marks Potomac Edison’s first automation project of this kind in West Virginia.

Positive

• The $1.4 million investment improves service reliability for over 2,100 customers.
• The project reduces the impact of outages caused by severe weather, enhancing customer satisfaction.
• Automated reclosers will minimize the frequency and duration of service interruptions.

Negative

• None.

WILLIAMSPORT, Md., Aug. 24, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Potomac Edison, a subsidiary of FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE), has completed an upgrade to the electrical system serving Grant County, West Virginia, that will enhance service reliability for more than 2,100 customers.

The work involved splitting a 286-mile circuit of power lines that deliver electricity from a substation to customers in the Maysville area into two smaller circuits. The circuit was previously the largest by mileage within FirstEnergy. With the split, one 175-mile circuit now serves approximately 1,240 customers in Maysville, Scherr and Greenland, and the other 112-mile circuit serves approximately 900 customers in Arthur and Lahmansville.

With two smaller circuits, Potomac Edison will be able to manage demand more efficiently and limit the number of customers impacted by outages, particularly those caused by severe weather.

In addition, the circuits are connected by new electrical equipment called automated reclosers that will automatically switch customers to an adjacent power source in the event of certain outages. By tying customers to a second source of power, Potomac Edison will be able to further enhance reliability and minimize the frequency and duration of service interruptions that customers experience. This is the first time Potomac Edison has completed an automation project of this kind in West Virginia.

"The strategic investment in our system will generate meaningful benefits for customers in Grant County by reducing the impact of outages caused by severe weather events and enhancing our service restoration capabilities in the area," said James A. Sears, Jr., vice president of Potomac Edison.

Overall, the $1.4 million project included the installation of three automated reclosers, new line regulators for voltage support, and line construction and replacement in various places along the two circuits. The work began last year and was completed in late July.

Potomac Edison serves about 275,000 customers in Maryland and about 151,000 customers in the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia, including all or parts of Berkeley, Grant, Hardy, Hampshire, Jefferson, Mineral and Morgan counties. Follow Potomac Edison at www.potomacedison.com, on Twitter @PotomacEdison, and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/PotomacEdison.

FirstEnergy is dedicated to integrity, safety, reliability and operational excellence. Its 10 electric distribution companies form one of the nation's largest investor-owned electric systems, serving customers in Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, West Virginia, Maryland and New York. The company's transmission subsidiaries operate approximately 24,000 miles of transmission lines that connect the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions. Follow FirstEnergy online at www.firstenergycorp.com and on Twitter @FirstEnergyCorp.

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SOURCE FirstEnergy Corp.

FAQ

What upgrades did Potomac Edison complete in West Virginia?

Potomac Edison completed a $1.4 million upgrade by splitting a 286-mile power line into two smaller circuits to enhance service reliability.

How many customers benefit from Potomac Edison’s upgrade?

Over 2,100 customers in Grant County, West Virginia benefit from the recent upgrade.

What is the purpose of the automated reclosers installed by Potomac Edison?

Automated reclosers are designed to improve outage management by automatically switching customers to an adjacent power source during outages.

When was the upgrade project completed by Potomac Edison?

The upgrade project was completed in late July 2021.

What are the advantages of splitting the power line into smaller circuits?

Splitting the power line allows for more efficient demand management and limits the number of customers affected by outages.